Hair grooming aid

ABSTRACT

A grooming aid compactly and attractively incorporates an aerosol canister and a comb within a protective housing.

United States Patent [191 Legere Dec. 24, 1974 HAIR GROOMING AID [75] Inventor: Allan E. Legere, Swampscott, Mass.

[73] Assignee: Cesari and McKenna, Boston, Mass.

[22] Filed: May 29, 1973 [21 1 Appl. No.: 364,694

11.8. CI. 132/148 Int. Cl A45d 24/00 Field of Search 132/148, 112, 114, 11,

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 3,520,311 7/1970 lesersek et al. 132/111 I l l l l l l I l i l I I n I Miska era]. 132 112 Zimmerman 132/79 A Primary Examiner-G. E. McNeil] Attorney, Agent, or FirmCesari and McKenna 57 I ABSTRACT A grooming aid compactly and attractively incorporates an aerosol canister and a comb within a protective housing.

4 Claims, 12 Drawing Figures PATENTED EH12 41974 SHEET 2 [IF 4 PATEmfnnzcwm sum 3 0F 4 FIG.7

PATENTED DEC 2 4 I974 SHEET '4 0F 4 FIG.|O

FIG.

HAIR GROOMING AID BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION A. Field of the Invention The invention relates to grooming aids and, more particularly, comprises a grooming aid for hair care.

B. Prior Art There are many types of grooming aids such as combs, brushes, etc., presently in existence. In some cases, two or more grooming aids are combined for the convenience of the user. One recently introduced grooming aid that has become quite popular is an aerosol canister containing hair spray. Canisters of this type are most frequently encountered separate from other grooming aids, but in some cases the canister has been combined with a comb or other aid. Examples of this are found in US. Pat. No. 3,636,963, issued Jan. 25, 1972 to Norma B. Olson, and French Pat. No. 1,145,922 granted May 13, 1957.

The structures shown in these patents are dominated by the hair spray canister itself. While a comb or other extension is physically connected to the canister, it is not conveniently combined with the canister in a single housing. Instead, it extends at a substantial angle to the housing and thus is awkward to carry and store in a limited area such as a womans purse. Further, the manner of connection of the comb to the canister does not provide a convenient grasp for the person using the comb.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION A. Objects of the Invention Accordingly, it is an object of the invention to provide an improved grooming aid combining a comb and an aerosol hair spray canister.

A further object of the invention is to provide a grooming aid combining a comb and an aerosol hair spray canister ina configuration that is both compact and attractive.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide a grooming aid having a comb and an aerosol hairspray canister that is convenient to use and that occupies minimal storage space.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The grooming aid of the present invention comprises an outer housing having a portion thereof generally contoured to the shape of an enclosed aerosol canister and having a comb enclosed therein to form a unitary package. The comb is either extensible from the housing or it is accessible by removing a portion of a wall of the housing. In either case, the housing itself serves as a convenient handle for holding the comb during use and provides a firm, comfortable grasp. The canister is either fully enclosed by the housing or has its own top closure which blends with the housing and is generally coextensive therewith.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention the canister is cylindrical in shape. The comb is mounted with its long dimension parallel to the axis of the canister and immediately adjacet thereto. In one variation thereof the comb slides in tracks running parallel to the cylinder axis so that the comb is extensible lengthwise of the housing when it is to be used, and is retractable in the housing for stroage; in another, the comb slides sideways in tracks extending at right angles to the cylinder axis, so that the comb again is extensible from the housing for use and is retractable therein for storage. In another embodiment of the invention the comb is fixed to the housing, and preferably is formed integral therewith, so that it cannot be extended from the housing. Instead, access to the comb is provided by removing a portion of the housing wall to thereby expose the comb for the use and thereafter cover it for storage.

In a further embodiment of the invention the housing of the grooming aidis generally oval shaped- The aerosol hair spray canister is correspondingly oval shaped to conform to one wall of the housing buthas another wall thereof flattened to accommodate a comb within the housing. The comb is mounted with its long dimension parallel to the axis of the canister and rides in tracks allowing its extension parallel: to this axis when the comb is to be used. It is, of course, retracted into the housing when not in use.

In all the embodiments, the canister itself is snugly mounted in a correspondingly shaped receiving well formed in the housing. The well has closed side and bottom walls and an open top wall to allow reception of the canister therein and its subsequent removal and replacement when the canister contents are used.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION The foregoing and other and further objects and features of the invention will be more readily understood from the following detailed description of the invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings in which:

, FIG. 1 is a view in perspective of a preferred embodiment of a grooming aid in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view, with portions partly broken away, of the grooming aid of FIG. 1 showing the comb in an extended position;

FIG. 4 is a view in perspective of another embodiment of the invention having a comb which extends sideways from the housing;

FIG. 5 is a horizontal sectional view along the lines A 55 of FIG. 4;

' FIG. 6 is a vertical view of the grooming aid of FIG.

4 with portions partially broken away to show the enclosed canister and comb more clearly;

FIG. 7 is a view in perspective of still another em bodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a horizontal sectional view along the lines 8-8 of FIG. 7;

FIG. 9 is an exploded vertical view of the grooming aid of FIG. 7 showing the cover removed to expose the canister and comb;

FIG. 10 is a view in perspective of still another embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 11 is a horizontal sectional view along the lines 11-11 of FIG. 12; and

FIG. 12 is a vertical sectional view along the lines l2l2 of FIG. 10 and showing the comb in an extended position.

In FIGS. l-3, a grooming aid 10 has an outer housing 12 enclosing a canister 14 and a comb 16. The canister 14 is of conventional form and has a cylindrical body 15 and spray nozzle 18 connected to the body 16 by a narrow conduit 20. The nozzle 18 is spring loaded in a known manner such that. when pressed downwardly toward body 15, the liquid contents of the body are FIG. 2 is a cross-section along the lines 2--2 of FIG.

ejected through a fine nozzle 22 in the nozzle head 18.

The canister 14 sits in a well 24 within the housing 12. The well is defined by closed side and bottom walls which snugly fit the canister and hold it therein, but which allow its removal when its contents are spent. The well is coextensive with the major portion of the cylindrical body 16, but terminates near the upper end thereof adjacent the nozzle 18. A conventional removable canister cap 26 press fits over projections 28 on the canister body 16 at the upper end thereof and protects the canister from accidental discharge.

Comb 16 fits within a cavity 30 formed within another portion of the housing 12. Extending in a vertical direction along one wall of the cavity 30 are tracks 32 which mate with recessed portions 34 in the spine 36 of comb 16. A thumb grip 38 extends from one portion of the spine 36 through an open channel 40 in the housing 12. The comb is extended outwardly of the housing 12 in a direction parallel to the axis of the cylindrical canister 14 by moving the grip 38 in a vertical direction within the channel 40. This is conveniently accomplished by pressure of the thumb on the grip 38.

When the grooming aid of FIGS. 1 through 3 is to be used, the cover 26 of the canister is removed, thereby exposing the aerosol hair spray nozzle 18 for use. The comb 16 is then extended from the housing 12 by downward pressure on the thumb grip 38. The housing provides a convenient and comfortable handle for holding the comb while it is in the extended position. When the comb is retracted and the cap 26 replaced, the grooming aid provides an attractive and neat appearance and is conveniently stored in a purse or other container.

In FIGS. 4 through 6, there is shown a grooming aid 50 inwhich a comb is extended from a side face of the container instead of from a vertical face as shown in FIGS. 1 through 3. The grooming aid is formed from an outer, generally oval shaped housing 52 enclosing an aerosol canister 14 of the type shown in FIG. 1 together with a comb 56. Canister 14 is disposed in a well 58 within the housing 52 as was the case in FIGS. 1 through 3. Comb 56 has a spine 60 positioned in a vertical direction adjacent the well 58 and located within a cavity 62 within the housing 52. The teeth of the comb extend from this spine. Cavity 62 terminates in a vertically extending aperture 64 on one of the side walls of the housing 52. A thumb grip 66 is connected to the spine 60 of the comb 56. The thumb grip 66 extends from the comb 56 outwardly through a horizontal channel 68 in the side wall of the housing 52.

The side walls of the cavity 62 serve as guides for the spine 60 to allow the comb 56 to be extended through the aperture 64 by means of force applied to the thumb grip 66 in a horizontal direction. innermost and outermost protuberances 70 and 72, respectively, mate with a corresponding notch 74 on spine 60 to lock the comb in its innermost or outermost position, as the case may be.

As was previously the case, the canister cap 26 is readily removed to provide access to the nozzle 18 to thereby apply its contents as desired. The housing 52 provides a convenient handle for the comb 56 when the comb isextended outwardly of the housing, and serves as a convenient repository for the comb and the canister when there are to be put away for storage.

Turning now to FIGS. 7-9, there is shown a grooming aid in accordance with the present invention in which the comb is integral with the housing enclosing the comb and canister. The grooming aid is formed from a housing having a base portion and a removable closure portion 82. A conventional canister 14 of the type previously shown in connection with FIGS. l-6 is mounted in a well 84 within the base portion 80. Formed integral with a vertical wall of the base portion is a comb 86. The long direction of the comb is parallel to the axis of the cylindrical canister 14, and the teeth extend in a direction perpendicular to this axis.

The upper closure portion 82 has lips 88 which mate with corresponding recesses 90 in the base portion 80. The closure portion 82 moves in a vertical direction in the recesses 90 for removal or for closure. When the portion 82 is removed, it exposes both the canister 14 and the comb 86 for use. The base portion 80 which surrounds the cansiter provides a convenient handle for grasping the comb 86. When the closure portion 82 is once again affixed to the base portion 80, it forms a compact, convenient, attractive package enclosing the canister and the comb for storage.

So far the invention has been described with particular reference to a cylindrical canister. This type of canister is especially easily formed and is a standard configuration so that it is widely available at a relatively low cost. It will be understood, however, that the invention is not so limited and canisters of other than cylindrical configuration may be utilized. An example of this is shown in FIGS. 10 through 12 in which a generally oval shaped housing with blunted ends 102 encloses a correspondingly generally oval shaped canister 104 with a flat side wall 106 fitting within a correspondingly shaped well 108 formed within the housing 100. Immediately adjacent to the flattened side wall 106 on the outside of the corresponding wall 108 is a comb 110. The comb has a spine 112 and teeth 114 and 116 extending outwardly from either side of the spine. A thumb grip 118 is fonned on, or connected to, the spine 112 and extends outwardly from the housing 100 through a vertically extending channel 120 formed in the housing. The thumb grip is moved in this channelv in response to forces applied to it and, in so moving, extends the comb out of, or retracts it into, the housing 100 through an aperture 122 in the base of housing 100. When the comb is extended from the housing, the housing provides a convenient handle for the comb.

The upper removable closure 98 forms a frictional press fit with the lower base portion 100 with the aid of a ring 124 extending circumferentially around the base portion 100. When the closure portion 98 isremoved, the nozzle 18 of canister 14 is exposed for use.

From the foregoing it will be seen that I have provided a convenient, compact, attractive grooming aid incorporating an aerosol spray canister and a comb within a single package. The canister and comb are fully enclosed in a single housing and yet access is rapidly and simply provided thereto. The housing enclosduced relatively inexpensively while maintaining a quality appearance.

It will be understood that various changes may be made in the invention without departing from either the spirit or the scope thereof. For example, it will be recognized that the comb 16 of FIGS. 1 through 3 may extend through an aperture in the upper face of the housing 12 instead of the lower face as shown. However, extending it from the lower face as shown in FIG. l-3 is preferable, since the exit aperture is thereby covered from sight. Various other changes may be made without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention and it is understood that such changes are intended to be encompassed herein.

Having illustrated and described the invention, 1 claim:

1. A hair grooming aid comprising A. a generally continuous elongated housing having 4. parallel tracks aligned with said aperture for positioning a comb therebetween and guiding it through said aperture for use exterior to said housing and for storage interior thereto,

2. having a spray nozzle thereon actuable to release 7 a spray from said cannister. C. an elongated comb l. positioned within said reduced portion 2. slidable in said tracks through said aperture for use exterior to said housing.

2. A hair grooming aid according to claim 1 which includes A. a second aperture through said housing and extending in a direction parallel to said tracks, and

B. a protuberance on said comb and extending through said aperture for movement along said second aperture by a user to thereby extend and retract said bomb.

3. A hair grooming aid according to claim 2 in which said housing comprises a generally continuous shell surrounding said cannister and said comb when retracted.

4. A hair grooming aid according to claim 3 which includes a removable cover separable from said housing to expose said nozzle. 

1. A hair grooming aid comprising A. a generally continuous elongated housing having
 1. a portion of enlarged, generally cylindrical cross section for accomodating a generally cylindrical aerosol cannister therein, joined to
 2. a portion of diminished cross section for accomodating an elongated comb therein with its spine parallel to the axis of said cannister and in side-by-side relation thereto,
 3. an aperture extending from said portion of diminished cross section to the exterior of said housing for passage of said comb therethrough,
 4. parallel tracks aligned with said aperture for positioning a comb therebetween and guiding it through said aperture for use exterior to said housing and for storage interior thereto, B. a generally cylindrical aerosal cannister
 1. positioned within said enlarged portion
 2. having a spray nozzle thereon actuable to release a spray from said cannister. C. an elongated comb
 1. positioned within said reduced portion
 2. slidable in said tracks through said aperture for use exterior to said housing.
 2. a portion of diminished cross section for accomodating an elongated comb therein with its spine parallel to the axis of said cannister and in side-by-side relation thereto,
 2. having a spray nozzle thereon actuable to release a spray from said cannister. C. an elongated comb
 2. slidable in said tracks through said aperture for use exterior to said housing.
 2. A hair grooming aid according to claim 1 which includes A. a second aperture through said housing and extending in a direction parallel to said tracks, and B. a protuberance on said comb and extending through said aperture for movement along said second aperture by a user to thereby extend and retract said bOmb.
 3. A hair grooming aid according to claim 2 in which said housing comprises a generally continuous shell surrounding said cannister and said comb when retracted.
 3. an aperture extending from said portion of diminished cross section to the exterior of said housing for passage of said comb therethrough,
 4. parallel tracks aligned with said aperture for positioning a comb therebetween and guiding it through said aperture for use exterior to said housing and for storage interior thereto, B. a generally cylindrical aerosal cannister
 4. A hair grooming aid according to claim 3 which includes a removable cover separable from said housing to expose said nozzle. 